Darien cops tracking crime with online map

Site provides the where and when of criminal activity

The Darien Police Department has implemented a crime-tracking database that includes an online component allowing the public to stay informed about crime in the suburb.

Police officials said the RAIDS Online system provides residents with access to a free online crime map that is updated every eight hours.

"(The system) will allow us to open up the lines of communication between the citizens and the police," said Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown. "The idea behind it is that crimes might decrease if residents are informed about the types of crimes that are occurring in their area."

For instance, Brown said the map would be a good tool to inform residents about vehicle burglaries. He said the city had 86 vehicle burglaries last year, and about 65 percent of those vehicles had unlocked doors.

Police officials said the RAIDS Online system automatically synchs with the department's records system and includes information on the map such as the type of crime, location, block-level address, date and time.

Brown said the city will pay $5,000 per year for the system. Officers also will use private components of the system to track crimes and assist the department, he said. Brown said officers are also required to regularly review the types of crimes on the system for crime-fighting and prevention purposes.

Brown, who recently came to Darien from the Chicago Police Department, said the suburb didn't gather much crime data in the past.

"One of my goals has been to gather crime data in the community," said Brown. "This system will make that happen."

Brown said the system had some glitches that must be worked out. For example, the map sometimes indicates crimes have happened at the police station. Brown said that is most likely because people come to the station to report crimes.